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BENJAMIN BURLING, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

LIFE-PRESERVING BUOY.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 19,618, dated March 16, 1858.

To all wil-omy t may, concern Be it known'that I, BENJAMIN BURLING, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Life-Preserving Buoy; and I do hereby declare t-hat the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention relates to the general plan and arrangement of the essential parts of my life preserving buoy as hereinafter more fully set forth.

Figure l is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a plan at line A-B(Fig. 2). Fig. 4 is a plan at line C-.D (Fig. 2). Fig. 5 is a plan at line E-F (Fig. 2). Fig. 6 is a vertical section, the cover being raised and the ventilator dropped to its lowest position. Fig. 7 represents a signal flag. Fig. 8 represents a signal lamp. Fig. 9 represents an elastic basin for catching rain water.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the gures.

Gr, main body of the buoy, made of sheet copper, galvanized iron, or Zinc. H, oat made of cork and surrounding the main buoy. It is about twelve inches in diameter. I, fender, made of india rubber, and is for -t-he purpose of protecting the buoy when being launched from, or taken on board the vessel. It is made in the form of a tube. J, iron chain plates. These are fastened to the buoy on the outside, and serve to strengthen and support the buoy. K, sling or hawser. This is made of ropes, and is connected to thev iron chain plates. At K2 is represented a ring for the` purpose of grappling into, in order to draw the buoy on board al vessel and also a fioat, so that the sling will rise to the surface of the water and be easily grappled. L, dead lights. M, ventilator, which also serves as a mast. It is made hollow and connects with the interior of the buoy, and admits fresh air therein. l 1,mouth of ventilator. A tail M3 is connected with the mouth so that together they form a weather vane. n, tube, to permit the escape of foul air. O, truck sheave, over which a rope passes for hoisting articles through the ventilator. I), shrouds, to support the ventilator. Q, small cover or lid, to the opening or passage into the buoy. It screws into its place, and fits water tight.

r, opening or passage into the buoy the cover being removed.

S (Fig. 2), tank for carrying fresh water. space, between the fresh water tank and the main buoy, for the purpose of admitting salt water therein. The fresh water is also used as ballast and asthe fresh water is used from the tank, salt water may be admitted into the space, t, and thereby insure a sufticient ballast at all times. u, cock, to admit salt water as ballast, or small holes maybe inthe bottom of this space for the same purpose. fv, cord or rope, connected with sheave O, for the purpose of hoisting articles through the ventilator. h2, pump. g2, revolving water closet. l

W, (Fig. 4), locker for provisions. It is made water tight. X, opening into the lockers. The cover screws in so that no air or water can get in when the cover is on. Each locker is separate from the other.

r, n, (Fig. 5) represents ribs between the fresh water tank and the buoy, for the purpose of strength and support.

M2, (Fig. 6) chamber, in the ventilator, in which articles are placed, to be hoisted. y, main cover. This also screws into the main body. The smaller covers (or t-he openings thereof) pass through this main cover, and are a part thereof, as represented.

Fig.7 ,represents a signal flag. The base (a, 6,) of the flag ,staff is a wooden plug, fitted to slide up and down in the ventilator, and when up to its place stands above the weather vane, so as not to obstruct the free passage of air. It is raised and lowered by means of the ropes w, and sheave 0. The signal lamp represented by Fig. 8 is raised and lowered in the same manner and its base or plug c, (Z, is also like that of the signal flag.

Fig. 9, represents an elastic basin for catching rain water. Its base or plug (e, f,) is like that of the signal lamp and iag. Its top (or expansive basin) is made of canvas or suitable material and is so constructed that it may be folded and raised and lowered through the ventilator. When it is raised to the top, it may be expanded and spread over a large surface and made useful in catching rain water in case the occupants of the buoy should be long at sea and require a new supply of freshwater.

This buoy is intended to be well supplied with fresh water and provisioned, and will sust-ain six or more persons inside for several Weeks. It is to be Well supplied With all things necessary for the sustenance and convenience for at least six persons, and kept on ship board ready for use. The signal Hag may be kept up at mast head through the day, and the lamp at night.

The buoy may` also be used as a safe, forgold and silver and other valuable articles. Persons having charge of the treasure Would have the buoy Well supplied with provisions, fresh Water, and other necessary articles and use the buoy as a state-room on ship board and thus be prepared at all times for any emergency. These buoys are intended to be placed on deck and in such position that in case of accident they may be easily manned, launched, or thrown overboard. They are so constructed that it is impossible to swamp them in the act of launching, and When in the Water it is impossible to upset them. They may be suspended by means of the hawser, K, to the davits, and thus be ready at all' times to be lowered Ainto the Water, and also ready for any emergency Which may occur. The great depth of the buoy be- 10W the surface of the Water, and the ballast therein, Will prevent it from floating far from the place Where it First enters the Water, and hence in case of ship-Wreck or fire they can easily be found in the track of the ship. As a means of preserving life and treasure, their importance cannot Well be overestimated.

I claim- The general arrangement of parts and conveniences, constituting a life and treasure preserving buoy, substantially as herein described.

BENJAMIN BURLING. Witnesses:

E. B. FoRBUsI-I, F. L. BALDWIN. 

